Tens of thousands march on Pakistan’s parliament

Supporters of Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan dance on the lyrics of a song in Khan's support, during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014. Khan on Monday announced to lead thousands of anti-government protesters into the high security Red Zone as his 48 hours deadline for government to step down ending Tuesday. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

A young supporter of Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, his body decorated with stickers showing Khan, dances with others during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014. Khan on Monday announced to lead thousands of anti-government protesters into the high security Red Zone as his 48 hours deadline for government to step down ending Tuesday. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

A supporter of Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, wearing pins bearing the image of Khan, takes part in a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014. Khan on Monday announced to lead thousands of anti-government protesters into the high security Red Zone as his 48 hours deadline for government to step down ending Tuesday. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

A supporter of Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, gestures during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014. Khan on Monday announced to lead thousands of anti-government protesters into the high security Red Zone as his 48 hours deadline for government to step down ending Tuesday. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Supporters of Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan shout slogans against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014. Khan on Monday announced to lead thousands of anti-government protesters into the high security Red Zone as his 48 hours deadline for government to step down ending Tuesday. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters armed with wire cutters and backed by cranes marched on Pakistan’s parliament yesterday, removing barriers blocking them from soldiers guarding the seat of the country’s government.

The protesters, wearing masks and carrying makeshift shields, hammered through barbed wire and locks connecting shipping containers together that authorities put on roads to block off Islamabad’s so-called “Red Zone,” which also holds the president and prime minister’s ceremonial homes and many diplomatic posts.

Women and children also took part in the march as police officers stood by and watched, setting up a possible showdown later between hundreds of waiting soldiers and some 30,000 protesters backing opposition candidate Imran Khan and anti-government cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri.

Both men have been called on by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down over allegations of fraud in last year’s election. Sharif has refused and ordered the soldiers out into the streets, the first military deployment in the capital since Pakistan has been under civilian leadership. Authorities previously said they would not allow protesters to enter the “Red Zone,” though protesters met no immediate resistance late last night.

Two Pakistani security officials said a total of 700 troops had been deployed to guard the “Red Zone.” They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to speak publicly.